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Strategy Final - Brochure
Strategy Final - Brochure
Biosecurity Strategy
2016-2025
The development of the Western Australian Biosecurity Strategy (‘the
Strategy’) led by government and informed by industry and community,
sets the strategic direction for partnership arrangements to manage
biosecurity issues affecting agriculture, fisheries, forests and biodiversity
in our terrestrial and aquatic environments.
Important disclaimer
The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Agriculture and Food
and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by
reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this
information or any part of it.
Copyright © Western Australian Agriculture Authority, 2016
Copies of this document may be available in alternative formats upon
request.
3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth WA 6151 Tel: +61 (0)8 9368 3333
Email: biosecuritystrategy@agric.wa.gov.au
‘‘
The purpose of the Strategy is to set the overall direction
for the management of emerging and ongoing biosecurity
issues within WA from 2016 to 2025.
Scope
The Strategy covers animal and plant pests, diseases and
weeds, and zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted
between animals and humans. These have the potential
to negatively affect WA’s economy, terrestrial and aquatic
environments, biodiversity, agricultural resources, human
health and social amenity. It doesn’t include chemical
contamination or residue issues, animal welfare, food safety
or human health (except zoonoses), or genetically modified
organisms. The strategy covers the period 2016 to 2025.
Foreword>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 5
What is Biosecurity?>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 6
W
estern Australia’s Biosecurity Strategy The strategy is aligned with national directions
(the Strategy) sets the strategic and has been informed by Biosecurity Council
direction for the management of stakeholder engagement, the Biosecurity Senior
emerging and ongoing biosecurity issues that Officer’s Group and feedback from Industry,
impact on agriculture, fisheries, forests and the government and community members over a
environment within the State. five month period of consultation. The Strategy
covers the period 2016 to 2025.
Biosecurity incursions have the capacity to
increase costs and disrupt export and domestic A formal review of the Strategy will be
trade of agriculture, forest, aquaculture and conducted within three years.
commercial fishing as well as affecting our
unique environment, biodiversity and social On behalf of all Ministers who have a
amenity. responsibility for biosecurity I am delighted
to support the release of this Strategy, which
Western Australia is fortunate to be free of through its implementation will support the
many of the major animal and plant pests protection, future growth and economic
and diseases that occur elsewhere. Effective development of Western Australia.
biosecurity management underpins the
state’s reputation as a supplier of clean, safe,
high quality food, which enables access to
valuable markets and trade arrangements.
Of equal importance is keeping our marine
areas, conservation areas and unique natural
Hon Mark Lewis MLC
ecosystems free from damaging pests.
Minister for Agriculture and Food
The vision of the Strategy is ‘working together
to minimise risks to the state’s economic
development, environmental assets and social
amenity from terrestrial and aquatic pests and
diseases’.
WA’s geographic isolation provides a natural advantage for biosecurity protection, however the extensive
coastline and numerous points of entry increase the risk of animal, plant and aquatic pests and diseases
being introduced.
Economy
WA agricultural products are renowned
as safe, high-quality products and our
biosecurity systems ensure our reputation
and status is maintained. Our biosecurity
status confers significant competitive
advantage and value proposition in
overseas markets.
Environment
Effective management of biosecurity
risks helps to protect our biodiversity and
our distinctive ecosystems and natural
environment.
Biosecurity management is a complex task and WA’s biosecurity system will need to respond to
increasing challenges including:
Globalisation
Globalisation (see Figure 1) increases
the volume and range of products
traded internationally, the number
of aircraft, ship and passenger
movements, and therefore
the increased risk of pests
and diseases entering and
establishing in Australia.
The growing volume and
speed of online trading
presents new challenges for
biosecurity because imported
plant material and animal
products may not encounter
established biosecurity checks.
In addition, unauthorised land
incursions from overseas increases the
risk of pests and diseases being imported
into the state.
Figure 1 Examples of some pathways that present
biosecurity risks
2
Beale, R., Fairbrother, J., Inglis, A.M., and Trebeck, D. (2008)
One Biosecurity: A Working Partnership.
Partnerships
Controlling pests and diseases requires
effective collaboration between international,
national and local stakeholders. WA honours
international protocol obligations in developing
and delivering its biosecurity system. We take
into account national agreements and Australian
government policy.
Biosecurity is a shared
1 responsibility
Area occupied
investment is allocated according
to a cost-effective, science-based Containment
and risk-management approach,
prioritising the allocation of Eradication
resources to the areas of greatest
return.
Prevention Entry of
invasive
2. Relevant parties contribute to the species
cost of biosecurity activities:
Species Small number Rapid increase in Invasive species widespread Time
a. Risk creators and beneficiaries absent of localised distribution and and abundant throughout its
contribute to the cost of risk populations abundance, potential range
many populations
management measures in
proportion to the risks created 1:100 1:25 1:5–10 <1:1–5
or benefits gained (subject to
Economic Returns (indicative only)
the efficiency of doing so)
b. Governments contribute to
the cost of risk management Figure 3 Invasion Curve
measures in proportion to the The Invasion Curve indicates greater economic return on
public good accruing from investment for actions on the left side compared with asset-
them. based protection on the right
Adapted from Department of primary Industries Victoria (2009)
3. Governments, industry and other
relevant parties are involved in
decision making, according to
their roles, responsibilities and
contributions.
www.agric.wa.gov.au/biosecurity-roles-and-responsibilities